Theoryland Chronicles

Members :Eclipse : Berelain is Moiraine

*Page # are from paperbacks as far as I know.

THIS one, my friends and colleagues, is a doozy . Understand, this is my pet. It’s more of a joke than anything. I’ve never heard anyone allow even a possibility for this one, let alone say they actually believe in it. I hope this is just a fun read. That, upon reading, you think to yourself “Wow. That was a real trip.” If you want to reply with faults, mistakes, and absolute theory breakers, feel free. Truthfully, I looked for those myself, but all I found was as circumstantial as what I pulled together to make this thing what it is. But then, I have a bit of bias.

I will try to follow my own conventions throughout, but keep in mind I spent an hour at least just assembling all my notes from previous posts and my reread. It is possible for me to make a mistake here and there. When I use full names, it means the originals. When they are shortened, that indicates the switch has been made. Also, all the notes and references are, for the most part, in book and page order.

Without further ado. The Ber is Moi Theory.

First, as much as some of you want it, Moiraine is not gone for good. She will be back, and I’ll try to show this as much fait accompli as I can.

TSR - Pg. 279 “I will tell you the names of those Red Sisters when I see you next.” Moiraine to Thom. If she is saying she will TELL him, then what is on the note Mat relays to her from Rand? She says she WILL see him again, and if she knows this, why bother to tell him the names with a note when the Oaths should bind her to wait and tell him when she sees him next?

LoC - Pg 784 “Good news? I haven’t puzzled that out yet.” Thom about the note Rand gave to Mat to pass on. It’s not the names of the Reds (those would not present a puzzle, and that list is something he wants). Thom then complains about women liking to be mysterious (referring to Moiraine and her letter). The note was probably a hint about seeing him later with the information she promised, and not to worry. I would guess the information that she’s dead would have been passed on via Egwene to Elayne/Nynaeve to Thom.

Some viewings from Min:
ACoS pg 696 - Rand - Will almost certainly fail without a woman who is dead and gone.
ACoS pg 700 - Moiraine - In reference to Min's thoughts, Jordan states "Moiraine was the only viewing of hers that had ever failed."
These two together, while not conclusive, are hard to deny when coupled with Moiraine’s own words to Thom about seeing him again.

That out of the way, let’s move on to the guts of my pet. The Berelain we see now in the south with Perrin is NOT the original Berelain. She is what I call Ber. She is Moiraine, returned from the Eelfinn - and now I call her Moi - and has been playing the role of Ber since sometime after Berelain came to Cairhien to act as regent in Rand’s name. I will begin with the foreshadowing.

The Dragon Reborn -

Pg. 124 “I already have a Warder, Perrin.” Her lips quirked almost into a smile. This is Perrin asking for dream protection by Moiraine like Lan. Then he thinks, “Light! Bound to an Aes Sedai for the rest of my life? That’s as bad as the wolves.”

Pg. 391 “You sometimes forget, Perrin, that you are a good looking young man.” Moiraine tells Perrin this after he mentions Faile looking at him in the common room. She smiles a bit too.

Pg. 392 Perrin stands in the hall outside Moiraine’s room and thinks about how good looking she is and the appeal of her seminaked body (she had to pull up her drooping robe when he entered). Confused or not, Perrin is obviously attracted to Moiraine in a very male way.

Pg. 404 “Every queen of Manetheren was an Aes Sedai, and the king the Warder bound to her.” Faile explaining about Manetheren to Perrin on the boat to Illian. This is a solid bit of foreshadowing. Whether or not it truly relates to Perrin, it will be proved again in the future, when New Manetheren rises, and the first King and Queen reign.

The Shadow Rising -

Pg. 126 “I could wager I know the face of the man I will marry better than either of you knows that of your future husband.” Moiraine says nothing of love, at this moment, only marriage. Her love for Perrin will come later. Also, there is too much straightforward (forceful) hinting at Moiraine and Thom. On that alone, I don’t believe Thom and Moiraine will happen.

Lord of Chaos -

I didn’t note the page (sorry), but I think everyone remembers when Faile told Perrin that, should she die, she expects him to mourn a suitable time, and then move on to another, whom she expects she would approve.

Winter’s Heart

Missed the page again. Faile was upset that Ber (that trull) was the one to escape. She thinks she could actually have liked Berelain if not for Perrin being between them.

After the foreshadowing comes all the rest. Hints and questionable moments galore.

Edit: this is from The Eye of the World. When in Baerlon, Moiraine says wryly that Min “saw a great many things,” after viewing the Emond’s Fielders. I think this is the part where Moiraine first learns that she has a future with Perrin.

The Dragon Reborn -

Pg. 674 The original Berelain comes into the room and first flirts with Rhuarc, then tells the women and Mat that she will be having dinner with the Dragon. This is weak, but relevant. This is very different behavior from what we see later, particularly from what we read about later in Cairhien and with Perrin in Winter’s Heart. It is not simply that this woman is amazingly forward, but that it fits with all the rumors about her. This woman, flirting with Rhuarc, and then bluntly telling the women in the room - with Rhuarc looking on - she will be giving her attentions to Rand later, does not jibe with a woman who has only shared her bed with two men.

The Shadow Rising -

Pg. 76+ Berelain comes to Rand’s chambers in a sheer robe and even sheerer “teddy” underneath. She has every intention of shagging him and this is NOT the Berelain we see in WH who claims only two men have shared her bed. Her words are, “We are not so formal in Mayene.” By every other indication we see in the Stone, she takes full advantage of this fact.

Pg. 79 “If you think you must be harsh with me then be harsh, so long as you hold me.” Definitely not the same Berelain with Perrin. There is also something at this very moment that helps in one way, yet can easily lead to a similar, but different conclusion. As she touched his face sparks “leapt from her fingers,” before he shoved her back with the OP (edit: as Uncle questions, static from the carpet? Heh heh ). This original Berelain is an AS (even if she hasn’t “bound” herself to cause the agelessness), and if this isn’t enough, her behavior and words in later books (especially in WH if that woman truly is the original Berelain) remove the doubt. Now, being Aes Sedai, it makes her cooperation with the switch later even more believable. Berelain being the First of Mayene, and having to deal with Tear - which hates Aes Sedai with a passion - no way is she going to advertise by word or deed that she is connected to the Tower, let alone that she is a sister. Considering only what is in Winter’s Heart, I think most just jump on the fact she is an Aes Sedai, and leave it there; that her being a sister explains all the niggling question mark moments. I disagree, especially considering all the other bits of info I’ve collected.

Pg. 236 “Too much like me.” Berelain muttering to herself about Mat as she passes him, in the Stone. If this Berelain is too much like Mat, it is hard to believe she’s only known two men previously. Mat is a true hound, and Berelain’s own words damn her. Moiraine having only known two men based on political reasons, I could buy. Berelaine, I find it hard to believe.

Pg. 244 “I will keep him as a pet... you can have him when I’m finished.” Berelain sounds nothing like this later on. This is one easy woman wanting to play. The WH Ber is not like this at all. She’s serious about her pursuit and doesn’t give the impression she plans on letting him go once she’s won him.

The Fires of Heaven

Pg. 901 In Moiraine’s letter to Rand, she says to give Thom the second letter, as “there is a small matter that I once told him of which I must make clear for his peace of mind.” This letter is NOT the list of names. It is something to give Thom pause, as it does when he reads it later. I believe it says not to worry, she would keep her promise that she gave him in the Stone. Hence, his words of not understanding the cryptic nature of the message.

Lord of Chaos -

Pg. 23 Moiraine had known the invisibility weave and had figured out Balefire on her own. She had also hinted at a way to sense what a man had woven (pg. 324), so it’s not farfetched if the ability to hide channeling ability was another of her secrets. She tells Perrin and co. in tDR that she had gotten more powerful since first meeting the Rivers folk. (edit: whoever she may have wanted to hide the ability from, I can only guess, but I would never say that skill is totally unknown among today’s AS).

Pg. 395 Ber asks after Mat and Perrin’s health. Rand thinks to himself that she always does this, even after he has already apprized her of their most recent situations.

Pg. 397 Ber approves of the daughters of nobles playing at swords. It’s possible Ber (or even Berelain) would see an advantage in using some of them as eyes and ears.

Pg. 398 Ber calls some of the youngsters trying to follow ji’e’toh “young men” even though she’s not any older than Nynaeve (should she be the original Berelain).

Pg. 404 “She seems a different woman altogether,” Rand thinks to himself of Ber as she discussed the business side of Cairhien.

Pg. 419 Wise Ones “treated her as a woman of sense and respect,” and for no reason Egwene could think of.

Pg. 430 According to Rand, “She (Ber) might as well have been a Wise One.”

The last six notes (just above) are all very circumstantial. There is no way, at the times of those passages, to tell if it is Ber or Berelain. I believe both Ber and Berelain are in Cairhien at this time, and they are working together, but even still, the original Berelain placed in control of Cairhien could justifiably be credited with these six notes. I still say they point to Ber (Moiraine). I’m sure you are asking, why go to the trouble of the disguise. I think it gives her more maneuverability. Moiraine is only a legend in the eyes of the rebel Aes Sedai. There are plenty out there still connected to the Tower (and probably not a few among the rebels) that think she is the cause of the Tower’s current situation. Her and Siuan. Siuan has been severely punished and brought low. Moiraine, has not. Should she come out into the open, she would have to deal with the stained reputation she left behind with her “death.” Then there is the issue of Lan. I realize he is married and learning to enjoy life again, but who can say how he would react if Moiraine were to return before time? He might feel honorbound to return to Moiraine (he did make certain vows to her) and demand Myrelle transfer the bond back, while believing his marriage is enough of a bond to Nynaeve. After all, he still belongs to her, but no need for her to suffer after his death via the broken bond. Maybe not, but it’s a possible issue better left moot

Pg. 495, 496 Amys kisses Berelain’s forehead and both cheeks as she would a daughter, but no telling which of the two it is. Probably it’s Berelain by the way the WO and Rhuarc sometimes (note, not all the time) treat her. She says Rhuarc reminds her of her father too much some times and grimaces. “I have dealt with Aes Sedai before,” the woman said dryly (to Egwene). “Berelain said in a carefully neutral voice, ‘I would appreciate it if you did not tell Rhuarc.’” The W.O. agree not to tell. I think Rhuarc has noticed the dichotomy in Berelain, and she was going to the W.O. for advice on how to handle it. Also to let them know how Berelain and Ber would be adapting their “roles.” There are a few times when they are in a scene together that Rhuarc seems pensive over Ber/Berelain, like he’s trying to figure something out.

Pg. 624 Berelain seems to have gone into hiding and only bothers to see those she must. Rhuarc even started taking her to task, but it doesn’t do any good. This may be Ber and Berelain plotting which of them to be seen when, and for what reasons (busy with something anyway). I think Berelain was to be the one in the open with the day to day running of Cairhien and dealing with Rhuarc, but when events called for Aes Sedai business involving the Dragon Reborn, Ber came out.

Pg. 885 A man in white will make her fall head over heels; Min’s viewing. This goes back to Moiraine saying she probably knows the face of her husband, and saying nothing of love at the time. When Faile dies, Perrin will put on white, which is the customary color of mourning in Two Rivers. Nynaeve reveals this (off screen actually), and Elayne picks it up when Nynaeve and Elayne are going to Mat to apologize for mistreating him in aCoS. Ber will then fall in love.

Pg. 887 - 893 Berelain is chasing Perrin around the palace. I think this is the real Berelain. She’s acting the scamp, has had an eye on Perrin since the Stone anyway, and Ber can see it as a possible “assist” for her future, so makes no complaint.

Pg. 925 Ber brings Rand’s sword to Perrin’s rooms and everyone realizes he’s been taken. Moi rooting around in Rand’s stuff after his disappearance after dealing with AS sounds right. Berelain going through his stuff does not. No reason for real Berelain to do that, and after Rand scared the peawads out of her in tSR, I don’t see her taking the initiative. Once more, this is Moi doing her best to see that Rand makes it to Tarmon Gaidon prepared. (Here is a little note that troubles me; it doesn’t have to mean anything, and it’s no proof against my theory, but it’s still strange; Ber brought the sword wrapped in a blanket. Why? This is the exact same way Aviendha brought the sword to Rand, because an Aiel won’t touch a sword)

A Crown of Swords -

Pg. 412 Ber is furious about Rand sending her back to Mayene. He wonders why she desperately wants the thankless job of running Cairhien. Actually, Ber just wants to stay close to Rand, which is to be expected, considering how desperate Moiraine was before her “death” to stay close to Rand and see him properly prepared for Tarmon Gaidon. She’s saying, “Why are you sending me away? We had a deal remember! I obey, and you keep me close to listen to my advice.”

Pg. 416 After Cadsuane barges in, Ber stands gaping like the others, but not because of all the hubub; she would have been under the impression that Cadsuane was dead too, but she certainly can’t voice it.

Pg. 417 “My Lord Dragon, I will serve you wherever and however you desire.” Ber to Rand as Cadsuane asks her to leave the room. Sounds like Moiraine’s Oath to obey from tFoH.

Pg. 565 “The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills,” Perrin said. Loial blinked at that echo of Moiraine. Perrin had been thinking of her a lot recently, the passage says. Unknowingly, I think his senses have been cued by Ber, but the idea would never occur to him. Moiraine and Berelain? One and the same? No way he’d come to that conclusion.

Pg 571 From this page on, Ber/Moi must be with Perrin; they go to Ghealdan. Why is Ber casually giving up her place in Cairhien, next to Rand, after the big to-do just before Cadsuane made her appearance? Because she knows, if she doesn’t take at least this much, Rand will be sending her back to Mayene where she can do exactly squat to help Rand along. With Perrin, she gets to assist Rand in more than a small way. Also, Moi is aware of what her future holds, which is Perrin.

Pg. 674 Min talks of Ber chatting with the Sea Folk. This doesn’t sound so much Berelain as it does Moiraine doing as much as she can for the Dragon to succeed. Sure, the Sea Folk are not something to be shrugged off, and Berelain has the responsibility of Cairhien, where the Folk are anchored, so she has a good reason to speak with them. But Ber has been spending much time with the Folk, not just making the dutiful visit of Cairhien’s regent.

Path of Daggers -

Pg. 170 Ber is wearing much more sensible clothing, and has been since leaving Cairhien, even at times when she is “working on” Perrin. The beginning of her conservative transition.

Pg. 663 Once again (very common now) Ber is dressed very conservatively. The dresses go all the way up to her chin now.

Winter’s Heart -

This is mentioned in PoD and WH, so no page number. Ber was the only one to escape the Aiel when they took Faile. Ber was not the ONLY one on a horse, but for some reason, she WAS the only one to escape. This wouldn’t be too difficult for an AS familiar with the Mask of Mirrors.

Pg. 104 “Sometimes you are a very large fool, Perrin Aybara. Quite often in fact.” Annoura after Perrin snarls at Ber to cut her act. Faile has already been taken, so this makes very little sense, her saying that to Perrin after his losing control. All he did was tell her to stop teasing him, if it was heated in its delivery. Perrin didn’t understand why she said that either. Perrin thinks to himself that Annoura seems to take pleasure in Ber’s pursuit, and even aids her now and again. So Annoura knows who Ber is, and gives a hint that things are not as Perrin believes.

Pg. 145 When Perrin was in Tel’aran’rhiod searching for Faile, he was there overlong and too “deeply,” for lack of a better word. Ber says that he felt like he was already dead, soulless. Annoura had confirmed this with a previous touch. A rather interesting talent for the apparent First of Mayene. Sounds more like the talent of someone like Verin or Moiraine.

Pg. 146 “She would do what she promised, but like an AS, for her own reasons, and the things she had made no promises about could stab you in the back." Perrin thinking to himself about Ber. Whatever reason Perrin had to think this, Jordan had a good reason to print it.

Pg 146 "I want you to know that no one hopes Faile is alive more than I." And "Her expression was so open and honest...she even managed to smell honest!" Ber may realize that Faile has something she needs to accomplish yet before her end; something that pulls Perrin to act a certain way, or something she (Faile) just has to do herself, that helps set the Pattern correctly. She may also have already begun developing deep feelings for Perrin and doesn’t relish the idea of him suffering over Faile’s death.

Pg. 146 She said firmly, "You can’t just ignore Aes Sedai. You are not Rand al’Thor, as they will prove to you sooner or later." Hint, hint. This could also be taken as foreshadowing.

Pg. 147 “But she left the tent, letting in a swirl of cold air. In her displeasure, she did not even bother to take a cloak." Once more, Jordan is printing this for a good reason, and it’s not to tell us that Ber is really upset.

Pg. 150 "Despite what you may have heard, you will be only the third man to share my bed." And, "The other two were politics. You will be pleasure. In more ways than one," she finished with a surprising touch of bite. Yes, it will be a pleasure, especially when he finds out the new woman in his life is not only an Aes Sedai, but his old, dead (?) friend, Moiraine.

__________

That is all the information I have collected in my reread. While nothing is conclusive (hardly that) concerning my theory that Ber is Moi, it is obvious that the woman with Perrin (most believe, I’m sure, she is the very same Berelain from the start), is Aes Sedai. Taking my theory for truth, I will explain the ending concerning Ber and Perrin.

Faile is destined to die. For a list of foreshadow: the Broken Crown, the Man in White vision, white being the color of mourning in Emond’s Field, Perrin and Faile discussing her death and that Perrin is expected to move on after proper mourning to a woman Faile would approve of, the vision of Aram stepping closer and closer to Perrin and the increasing feeling of doom (Aram may help urge Perrin to fight to get Faile back and that causes her death), and the vision of Perrin running away from the Tinker (guilt for taking the bait to fight, resulting in Faile’s death).

After Faile dies, Perrin will put on Two Rivers white and mourn her. Ber’s heart will ache for his pain, and she will then fall in love with her man in white. The “image” of raising Manetheren from its ashes will become a reality, and Perrin will end up assuming the throne of the new land, with his Aes Sedai wife, Moiraine. This follows the foreshadowing by Faile: the Aes Sedai queen and Warder king of Manetheren, and his remarrying of someone she approves of. This may or may not happen before Tarmon Gaidon (their union and rise to the throne), but either way, Perrin will be able to bring a large chunk of the Westlands to Rand’s aid for the Last Battle.

And THAT, as they say, is that.